Rating
Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy IX is the ninth main installment in the FF series. The title is a return to the series's roots, with gameplay features and references to the past games featuring throughout, as well as a medieval fantasy setting and cartoonish art style as a break from the sci-fi slant style of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII.
Details
- Released
- July 7, 2000
- Publisher
- Square, Square Enix, Square Electronic Arts
- Platforms
- PlayStation · PS3
How it plays
Time to beat · 4 player times (IGDB)
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Final Fantasy IX Reviews
Professional reviews from gaming critics
This game feels like a home run after almost two decades. The look may be a bit dated, but the gameplay still holds up, and the story still resonates. Final Fantasy IX is certainly worth the time of a first-timer or a nostalgic fan like myself. It’s always a pleasant surprise to see how well a complex RPG can hold up almost 20 years later and a joy to have one of my favorite games easily accessible on a modern console.
Reviewing a new Final Fantasy game is tough. Final Fantasy 16 bears the weight of expectation, a burden that comes with the territory of its iconic name. Each loosely associated entry redefines what it means to be a Final Fantasy, and every fan has a checklist of what aspects of the series need to come together to make the perfect experience. So, can it live up to the titans that came before it while carving out a distinct identity of its own?
While many more years will likely go by before the remake of Final Fantasy VII comes out, a slightly enhanced version of Final Fantasy IX is available now on consoles. Do touched-up character models and combat cheats make a twenty-year-old game new again?
Final Fantasy IX still holds true as being an amazing entry in the series for JRPG lovers but be prepared for a lackluster porting of the classic experience.
A bold change of direction for the Final Fantasy series that almost manages to pull it off. Grandiose combat and great performances are the highlights, but a largely funneled story and underdeveloped environments sour the spectacle.
That’s not to say people should avoid this re-release, because despite the problems there’s a strong game here that’s worth playing and experiencing. FFIX is reminiscent of a simpler time, boasting a strong narrative and quality of life features that make it easy to get into. I just wish it had a better presentation, one that a game of this quality truly deserves.
Should you buy this game on Steam? Considering the amount of work that has been put into making the game accessible, functional, and more visually appealing, it’s an easy recommendation to make. Not to mention, having an electronic copy always available eliminates the needs to buy more copies when your physical media wears out.